CSJ Report-Understand Bahamian News
CSJ Report explains the latest news stories, providing clear, contextualized content.
Hurricane Milton is confimed to have killed 12 people before exiting Florida.
The fierce storm, as described by meteorologists, came through Florida as a Category 3 hurricane on Wednesday night, tearing down lamp poles, traffic lights and ripping signs out of the ground.
It exited out to sea as Category 1, leaving neighborhoods flooded and homes without roofs.
3.4 million people are without electricity as of 11:30 today.
Photo credit: Getty and Associated Press
Hurricane Milton is expected to make landfall in Florida on Wednesday as a category 4 hurricane, with effects on the Bahamas.
Some Bahamians studying in Florida, returned to the Bahamas last night to escape the intensity and danger of this hurricane after battling Hurricane Helene less than two weeks ago, which caused damage to the area.
As Florida prepares, Milton is expected to pass through the northern Bahamas on Wednesday and Thursday, urging Education officials to close Abaco, Grand Bahama and Bimini schools.
The Royal Bahamas Defence Force has also urged its personnel to return to post in expectation of the effects of the destructive storm.
Florida’s Governor Ron DeSantis warned residents that “time is running out” to evacuate, while Mayor Jane Castor said it could be “literally catastrophic.”
Bahamian Laurie Dames living in Tampa, told the Nassau Guardian, that she and her family were preparing to evacuate to Tallahassee early Tuesday morning, to beat Milton’s arrival.
“People are trying to get out of Tampa and it’s pretty much bumper to bumper right now. We’re going to have to live with that and just get on the road,” she said. “This is the first time in a while that I’ve seen this amount of people taking it this serious this quickly. The service stations are full, the food stores are full, and the traffic is bad.”
However, another Bahamian living in Wesley Chapel, Tampa, Chandell Morley, said she will remain home “because I live further inland and where I live it’s over 70 feet above sea level.”
“Right now, I’m a bit nervous because we just don’t know what to expect,” she said.
She plans to pack a bag to stay at a shelter if needed.
The wife of a pilot found deceased after his single-engine aircraft went missing en route to the Bahamas, remembers him as a man of exceptional kindness, intelligence, and quirks,
“Chris was a precious man, with a rare kindness and sincerity. He was cute and quirky,” Stacye Love said. “He was wickedly smart. I am forever blessed to have been loved by him.”
In a sad conclusion to a multi-day search, Chris Moore, a 59-year-old pilot from Louisville, was discovered 2.5 miles from Marsh Harbour Airport, having succumbed to the crash upon impact.
Moore embarked on his journey from Sebastian, Florida, and last made contact at approximately 11 a.m. on Sunday.
“We are deeply grateful for having him found,” Love said. “He was found 2.5 miles short of the runway, upright in the marsh.”
She requested the community’s continued support through thoughts and prayers for the family during this challenging time, expressing gratitude for the discovery of her husband and extending thanks to Moore’s close friend, Bahamian officials, and U.S. authorities for their relentless efforts in the search.
A private search team located the single-engine Bristell aircraft piloted by the experienced aviator and retired engineer.
The Coast Guard had previously suspended their extensive search, which covered an area of roughly 1,760 square miles, yielding no results. Moore, a resident of the Glenview area on River Road, embarked on what was supposed to be a three-hour journey from Sebastian Municipal Airport in Florida to Marsh Harbor.
The disappearance of his aircraft prompted immediate search efforts by the Coast Guard, deploying aircrews from both Miami and Clearwater stations. Despite their efforts, the initial searches did not locate Moore or his plane.
The case was then handed over to the Royal Bahamas Defense Force, which also conducted an unsuccessful search on Monday morning.
“Please keep our family in your prayers,” Love asked.
Presidential hopeful and Florida Governor Ron Desantis’ recent military comment about “levelling” the Bahamas appeared to be no more than an analogy gone wrong.
While at a campaign event in Iowa on Sunday, he expressed unwavering support for Israel as it battles Hamas, describing the daily life of Israelis living under constant rocket attacks from Hamas in the Gaza Strip, Palestine.
However, in an analogy, he used the Bahamas as an example based on the country’s proximity to Florida.
He stated, “What are you supposed to do? I mean, I used to say even when they (Hamas)would just fire the normal rockets because they’ve been firing these rockets for years and years. And I thought to myself, like, if the Bahamas were firing rockets into Fort Lauderdale, like, we would not accept that for, like, one minute. I mean, we would just level it. We would never be willing to live like that as Americans,” DeSantis said.
The comment, reported by the Nassau Guardian and shared on social media caught some Bahamians by surprise, with many expressing shock since the thought of the Bahamas at war with the USA is an unconceivable notion.
But Desantis seemed no ill-intent. The hypothetical scenario was perhaps used to woo his GOP base where the Florida governor, who was praised as the face of the post-Trump-era Republican Party is now struggling to revive his flailing campaign with a hardline support for Isreal.
“What rockets we have though?… Ain’t nobody on his run,” a Bahamian citizen posted to social media. “How [did] we get in this?”
Darcy Moss asked, “We gat rockets eh?”
James Tivy added, “What a buffoon.” How many rockets do the Bahamas have? I’d guess none.”
One American citizen stated on Reddit, “Great, so we know now [that] you’re advertising that you’re unfit for president.”
Another stated, “I’m trying to imagine a hostile Bahamas. I’m also trying to imagine a world where Ron controls military equipment.”
“Life in Florida is never boring,” another stated.
Some Bahamians understood that it was just an analogy.
Scott Lowe said, “[He is] clearly trying to justify Isreal’s actions against Hamas by using a metaphor and not making threatening comments about the Bahamas specifically.”
And Citizens for Better Commonwealth of the Bahamas posted, “[I am ]highly doubtful that this was said in this context. But let’s be honest, if they did fire rockets at the Bahamas (hypothetically speaking) wouldn’t we want our government to do the same?”
The Bahamas and the USA share a strong diplomatic, historical, and economic tie, closer than any other country in the region.
The US Embassy in Nassau expressed “regret” for Desantis’ comment.
Best friend Sanae Knowles never thought she would witness the tragic and early death of 19-year-old Latrell Adderley, killed in a hit-and-run crash in Orlando Florida, early Sunday morning.
Adderley was standing with a group of people near the road around 3:43 a.m. when a 2005 Ford Excursion driven by Alexis Lima, ran off the roadway, hit a pole, a parked vehicle and Adderley.
“Life has shown us its hurtful side by taking you away from us when we didn’t see it coming. It breaks my heart that you were taken so unexpectedly…I’m still crying,” Knowles said in a tribute to Adderley.
Adderly died in the Advent Health Orlando Hospital.
But authorities were still looking for 20-year-old Lima and two other passengers who took off. Lima, the driver was eventually arrested and booked at Orlando County Jail and charged with driving without a license causing death and leaving the scene of a crash which involved injuries.
Knowles said she cherished his “unconditional love, smile and personality.”
Mary Star of the Sea Catholic Academy where Adderley graduated in 2022 remembered him as “bold, spirited, innovator, fun and a leader.”
“Latrell made a lasting impact on the lives of administration, teachers and students…his energetic spirit and smiling face will surely be missed,” a social media post read.
Dominic Russell said he is still in disbelief and would have met Adderley in his duties as pageant director. “This has my heart heavy right now…I really was hoping this was a dream.”
Friend Lee Ann met Adderley at work. They never lost touch even after he went to college. “This hurt my soul…Who am I going to talk to? We [were] birthday buddy twins.
Monika Strachan said he lit up her life, “He was such an amazing young man, full of energy and joy, never a dull moment.”
The daughter of an American pilot is not giving up hope after her father disappeared while flying to North Eleuthera, Bahamas from Florida nearly two weeks ago.
Though the Royal Bahamas Defense Force and US Coast Guards have called off the search, Nabilha Khan has launched a GoFundMe, attempting to raise $100,000 to continue a private search for Pervez Khan, a South Florida resident who took off from Fort Lauderdale Hollywood International Airport on August 19, but has not been seen since.
US Coast Guards and the Royal Bahamas Defense Force searched 20 hours of 5,032 square miles to no avail, so the family is seeking to raise funds to find the missing pilot themselves.
As of Wednesday, the GoFundMe stood at $13,000.
“We are out again today searching by plane, boat, and on foot,” Khan said on Tuesday.
Khan believes her father’s aircraft Cessna 402 either crashed or may have ditched the plane.
“I’m not sure which.
“It is crucial that we keep searching,” Khan told Local 10 News.
“We need to keep looking in new areas.”
“My father has flown this flight thousands of times. He’s been flying to the Bahamas for decades.”
Khan was the only person aboard the plane and was last seen 17 miles west off the coast of Eleuthera.
Family said they were finally able to search a previously unsearched area with a helicopter hired from Boca Raton because there were no available helicopters in the country.
The family is asking everyone to be on the lookout for the any sightings or clues of the plane, as they continue their search for Khan.
The sister of a missing American free diver who went missing in Bimini waters said she will not give up finding her brother, even though the Royal Bahamas Defense Force and the US Coast Guard called off the search.
In hopes that he is still alive, in a message to him she said, “Ryan, we will never stop looking for you.”
Nicole Proulx said Ryan went missing on Friday around 6 pm, while free diving in Bahamian waters near the Bimini Barge Wreck, approximately 1.5 miles west of Bimini Inlet, wearing a green UV hooded shirt, heather green athletic shorts, red dive fins, redfin keepers and green snorkels.
He was never found, but a blue pole, red fins, and green shorts were discovered in the surrounding waters on Sunday.
After the US Coast Guard and Royal Bahamas Defence Force suspended the search on Sunday, friends launched a GoFundMe, seeking $60,000 to find the 31-year-old former police officer. As of Monday, more than $30,000 was raised.
“Any money raised will go towards helping fly the volunteer dive team in this effort to bring Ryan home in an honorable manner that he deserves… If Ryan is found prior to this rescue trip, the money will go directly to his family. Any money left after the team goes over will go to the family also,” friend Shelby Morin said.
She described Ryan as a “friend and just an amazing guy.”
Ryan who is from Connecticut, left Palm Beach County Marina, Florida for Bimini last Thursday with a crew including his wife, after free diving around a sunken boat, when he disappeared.
The U.S. Coast Guard deployed two helicopters and a search plane to assist the Royal Bahamas Defense Force in the search but came up empty. After aircraft crews searched over 673 square miles for Ryan, the Coast Guard suspended the search.
“We offer our deepest condolences to the Proulx family,” Lt. Cmdr. Matt Spado, Coast Guard liaison officer, said in a tweet. “The decision to suspend the active search efforts pending further development is one we never take likely.”
Steve Diffenbacher, a friend said Ryan was a U.S.C.G. licensed boat captain and diver and often ran boats from the Northeast down to South Florida for clients who wanted to transport their boats.
The Bahamian girlfriend of a man killed in Walmart, Lauderdale Lakes, said his killing is forever etched in her memory. But she will remember him for his big heart.
“Having a big heart that he has, he went down a hero,” Makia Ford said of her boyfriend Thierry Bastien who was identified as Haitian-American.
Ford, who is from the Bahamas but lives in the US, said she and 41-year-old Bastien were alerted to cries of ‘help’ from a woman while the couple and their children shopped at Walmart, Lauderdale Lakes in Broward County, Florida.
Bastien ran to assist the woman involved in a dispute with another Walmart employee who was not on duty at the time.
“I told him, ‘Don’t go,’ but he said he’s just going to help,” Ford told Local 10 News.
As Ford looked on, 22-year-old Tirone Sterling shot Bastien, though she pleaded with him to save her boyfriend’s life who fathered two children, including an infant she held in her arms at the time of the incident.
Instead, an angry Sterling stood over Bastien and shot him six times— in the leg, stomach and chest.
Bastien died in the hospital.
“He was all about family, working, and taking care of his family. It’s not fair to the kids. It’s not fair to me,” Ford said.
“He (Sterling) just took that away from us.”
Bastien grew up in a close-knit family with Karlise Honore, his cousin in Brooklyn. She remembers him as “big-hearted” and “charming.” Later, he moved from New York to South Florida where he founded a label company, CZF Da Label.
“If you met him for two minutes, you would feel like you know him,” Honore said.
Though many debated Bastien’s choice to interrupt a fight, Honore said, “In this day and age, your good deed might cause a negative result and something that’s harmful. I think it’s hard for some people who are naturally good-natured and want to see people protected. It’s hard for them to stand back.”
Maxine Pierre who is a friend of the victim said Bastien always defended him against bullies when they were children. “As a Haitian immigrant, I’d get bullied all the time. Thierry Bastien would stand up for me whenever he was around. He’d even walk with me on his way home some days.”
Karl Abellard echoed his sentiments. “He stood up for many kids in the neighborhood.”
Sterling was arrested hours later at an apartment complex and was charged with murder.
Ford said Sterling’s arrest will do nothing to quash the horror she witnessed. She’s forever changed.
“It’s the sounds that playback in your head. It’s the whole scene that plays back in your head.”
The tourist killed when the all-terrain vehicle in which he was a passenger crashed and rolled over, was described as “a kind, caring and gentle soul.”
Wilber Jorge was visiting Nassau, Bahamas, from the USA, and died unexpectedly after he was ejected from the 2019 Can-AM Outlander Four Wheeler on Sunday. Authorities said he sustained serious injuries after Carol Garcia, also visiting from the US, lost control of the ATV.
“He lived his life to the fullest every single day…” his daughter, Keyshla Jorge said, describing him as “an amazing father” to her three siblings.
“He was loved dearly by all his family.”
Susy Mero, his partner, said she is still processing the events surrounding Jorge’s sudden death and expressed her profound love for him.
“I loved you (Jorge). I love you and I will always love you.”
Since the crash, Jorge’s remains are still in the Bahamas and his family is hoping to transport his body to Lakeworth, Florida with monies raised from GoFundMe.
“Anything helps…we want to bring him home to his loved ones,” Mero said.
The family is hoping to raise $50,000 to cover the funeral expenses and offer financial help for his children.
Meanwhile, Garcia is on $18,000 bail after a charge of vehicular manslaughter was levied against her. She stands accused of dangerously driving the ATV in a public space which caused the death of Jorge.
As the family plans a date for the funeral, Mero admonished others, “Please hug your loved ones tightly as you never know what can happen.”
Featured photo: Wilber Jorge is shown with partner Susy Meso
A Bahamian woman was reportedly killed in a Florida car crash when the vehicle in which she was a passenger, flipped over a median and sat mangled next to Interstate-95, Northwest Miami-Dade.
The young woman identified as Tiaja Springer from Freeport, GrandBahama was travelling with a man who was driving the vehicle when their black Alfa Romeo sedan, heading south, lost control, meandered off the road, hitting a traffic box before it came to a stop.
Images show the car on its roof in the grass median.
Springer was killed in the 4 am rollover crash and the man was last listed in critical condition at Florida Aventura Hospital.
The tragic accident forced road closure as investigators scoured the scene to investigate the accident.
Friends and family took to social media to remember the Sunland Baptist graduate, killed in the tragedy. Many described her as “so full of life.”
It is not known what led to the vehicle losing control.